Gifts come in many forms: Wrapped in boxes, sealed in envelopes, and delivered by florists. They usually commemorate some special occasion and are rarely a surprise and even more rarely are they the right "size" or "color." Hence the uncomfortable and awkward customs of re-gifting, store returns, and cluttered closet shelves.
But every so once in a while a gift comes unexpectedly and that in itself is a delight. And on even more rare occasions, the gift itself is a source of profound value and pleasure.
I recently made a new friend at a quiet little bar on 10th Avenue, the appropriately named Xth Avenue Lounge. Ken and I had met through my blog, discovered we were both creatures of Hell's Kitchen and shared several common interests — Broadway and Bush-hating among them — and agreed to meet for drinks.
Ken gave me a surprise gift to commemorate our meeting. It was a small thing, a CD that he had produced himself, a recording of an obscure Broadway show from the early 60s, All-American. I vaguely recalled that it had been a flop. But I already knew that Ken is one of the leading experts on Broadway history so my interest was piqued. There had to be something special about it, and boy was there ever.
As it turned out, the CD is one of the most fascinating, entertaining, and engaging gifts I've ever received (and that's a bold statement from a man of a certain age who has survived the gift giving assaults of many a clever suitor, confused friend, and misguided relative.)
In fact, Ken's gift is up there with some of my all-time favorite gifts including my Santos de Cartier, my platinum fountain pen, a home-made Sacher Torte shipped all the way from Vienna and a night with a particular porn star.
So what's the big deal about an original cast recording of an obscure Broadway flop? The recording is even more original than an original Broadway cast recording and even includes several songs that never made it to the stage.
In fact, it's an astonishing and illuminating window into a world that has all but disappeared. Ken and his associates have acquired the rights to several Live Backers Audition sessions from the Golden Age of Broadway (1943-1968) and All-American is the first to be released.
Article comments
1 - Phillip M. Johnson
I found your website while researching the beautiful song "Once Upon A Time" that my wife and I heard in the Kevin Spacey film "Beyond the Sea". What was the name of the porn girl that you refer to in your website? Also, I think you've ruined the song for me by saying that it was sung by two men.
2 - Gary
Do you have information regarding the purchase of the All American CD?
Thanks,
Gary
3 - Richard
If you want information on how to purchase copies of this cd, please email the author of this article. [Personal contact info deleted]
4 - Laurence K. Cantor
Richard,
What a lovely entry! Lawsy, it brought me back. I was in 8th Grade in 1962 and a friend's mother took us to see All American. Flop?? You must be kidding! Why the critics were acerbic and kept the audiences away as they had the power to do in those bygone days is beyond me. All I had to see was an aging but still incandescent Ray Bolger step out of the chorus for "What a Country!" and I was hooked. "Once Upon a Time" blew me away. I left the theatre transfixed and transformed. Mom still wanted me to be a doctor and Pop, a lawyer, but I was headed for the boards. I invested a couple of years in it after graduation but then took a slight, 35 year detour into finance and consulting, before returning to the love of my life in 2004. And here I remain; once upon a time sometimes comes again.
I'd give my eye-teeth (assuming you have a starving actor discount) for a copy of the backer's CD. It, accompanied by a print-out of your blog entry, would make a wonderful present for a director friend of mine who's embarking on a sit-com pilot for HERE! Please let me know how I can buy it.
Thank you so much,
Laurence
5 - Donna
Once upon a time... a 15 yr old girl fell in love with the 18 yr old boy next door. First loves can be intense. "Once Upon A Time", ethereally sung by Andy Williams was their "Our Song". They were oblivious to the wistfullnes of the intrisic truth of the lyrics at that time. Too young to marry, they were ultimately separated by her mother and went on to separate lives. In 2004 the "girl" happened to see "Beyond The Sea" and almost fell apart when she heard the strains of "Once Upon a Time" in the poignant scene of Bobby and Sandy dancing. Hadn't heard that song since the 60's. It evoked such memories, and feelings... Fast Forward to 2006-6 months after Katrina, the girl is displaced to Baton Rouge, having most lost all her belongings in Katrina (and 5 yrs after her divorce) she receives a pkg from that "first love"...a letter, and photos to catch up for all those lost years, photos from the past, and a CD of 60's songs, including "Once Upon A Time". A friendship was rekindled. In December 2007, they were married on a beach in Kauai and they are now living their "Happily Ever After". Once Upon A Time DOES sometimes come again!! So glad to finally know the story behind the song; I always thought it must have come from a Broadway Show (it always reminded me of "Try To Remember" from The Fantasticks). Now I'll have to get that CD.
Donna